IMPRESSIVE FIGURES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 46, 18 November 1925, Page 9

IMPRESSIVE FIGURES

PROGRESS OF SECONDARY 1 INDUSTRIES By Telegrap” — I’rUss Association Dunedin, November 17. In the course of his address at the exhibition opening to-day, the Prime Minister (Hen. J. G. Coates) gave some statistics dealing with the Dominion’s progress since the International Exhibition at Christchurch in 1906. Figures for that year and 1924 were quoted as follow:—

Tanning, wool-scouring, and fcllmongering 1,000,000 Air. Coates added: “These .figures are impressive, especially when we remember that the Dominion is still to a very large extent in the development stage. They show that our. manufacturing industries are increasing in importance, and becoming an appreciable factor in the economic life of our people. I have thought it useful to call attention to this important part of. our industrial activities, because sometimes New Zealand is considered as purely a producer of agricultural and pastoral products, such as wool, meat, butter, and cheese, while the fact that our secondary industries are so steadilv developing hand-in-hand with the growth of our great primary production is often lost sight of. A good purpose is served by demonstrating to our farming, community to what extent our manufacturing industries are growing in importance. It is well, also, to remember that the progress and prosperitv of the Dominion generally is largely dependent on the active co-operation of town and countr’Turning to the general outlook as f_ ar as the Dominion is concerned, Mr. Coates said that the revenue for the seven months of the financial year ended October 31, excluding railway receipts, amounted to £9,927,620, being a net increase, of £658,013 over the corresponding period last year, ine net expenditure, again eliminating railways, was £12,027,563, an increase of £552,288. The Prime Minister remarked that these figures disclosed a condition of public finance . and there was every reason for predicting a prosperous year for the Dominion.

1906. 1924. Manufacturing cstablishments .... '3,517 4,461 Employees 50,205 77,461 £ £ Wages and salaries 4,118,521 14,573,441 Materials used .... 12,722,720 47,027,033 Total products .... 22,425,000 76,996,397 In the same period the value of production in certain industries increased as follows:— Industry. Increase. £ Engineering and agricultural implements .....; 1,613,000 Clothing 2,091,000 Printing 1,555,000 Biscuit-making and confectionery 2,020,000 Furnishing 800,000 Woollen 1,025,000